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Department:
Exceptional Cases
CRIME:
MURDER
Case Officer:
Detective Inspector
Permission:
Public view
CASE IDENTIFIER: 42/7A/LIBRARY AKA:
Profile
Name: Silas Small
Mobile Library Stop: Midsomer Norton
Age: 63
Job: Farmer
Health: Taken to A&E August 2024 with partial memory loss and unexplained marks on his skin. Self-discharged before examination.
Reading: Taken by the Light: True Tales of Alien Encounters by A. B. Ducted
Reason on Mobile: Returning a book. Small usually uses the main library but had decided to try the Mobile for a change
Suspect Statement
Extract from Suspect Police Statement
Transcript:
Your lot have never been any use. You couldn’t find your own elbow in the dark, the lot of you. Bunch of useless…. Oh, mind my language, should I? Bloody useless.
I tell you who you should be talking to, you should be talking to Mrs Chorlton. Harmless old lady, my arse. She runs everything!
Remember a few years back, when half the Church Flower Arrangers died mysteriously after a summer picnic?
And Mrs Chorlton did the sandwiches?
And did none of you think it was suspicious that she went from Treasurer to Committee Chair because of that, and got control of the alter flowers, which everyone knows is the most powerful pitch to have?
You didn’t even pull her in. Bloody useless the lot of you.
Evidence #1
Transcript from Points West Item, August 2022
Transcript:
Reporter:
Fairhope Farm in Midsomer Norton has the unusual claim to fame of having had the most crop circles of any farm in the country. These beautiful and intriguing patterns, like the one behind me, appear without warning overnight and are followed by many people wanting to see them, photograph them, or even soak up the energies inside them. Are they formed from ley lines or aliens? Silas Small, the owner of Fairhope Farm, has his own theory.
Silas Small:
Bloody students! I know it’s them. Do you know how much money this costs me. Every bloody year! They think it’s clever, do they? Well if the police won’t do anything I will. Even if it takes years, I’ll get them back!
Reporter:
Well, there we have it. Is it mischievous students…
Silas Small:
(overheard in background) Mischievous? I’ll mischievous them!
Reporter:
… or is this sleepy corner of Somerset the mecca for aliens visiting earth? I’ll let you decide in the studio, David! Ha ha.
Evidence #2
Very Toxic Chemicals Ltd Receipt
Transcript:
Payment Receipt
Receipt No: PR-005421
Date: January 15, 2025
Billed To: Fairhope Farm
Payment Summary:
Total Paid: £3,210 plus VAT
Payment Method: Credit Card
Description: Pesticides for agricultural use ***Warning – highly toxic***
Amount: £3,210 plus VAT
Thank you for your payment!
Very Toxic Chemicals Ltd
Witness Statement
Extract of Witness Statement from the Mobile Library Driver, Sal
Transcript:
Some big bloke came in after Mrs Chorlton.
I was chatting to her so I didn’t pay him much attention, but I remember seeing him holding the thermos of tea Ash always has on the counter – spotted it just as he was putting it down.
I had my back to him before that so I don’t know how long he had it for. If he hadn’t put it down I would’ve told him to.
You don’t want someone else’s hands all over your thermos, do you?
